Listed below are frequently asked questions regarding property taxes. If your questions are not answered by the following information, please contact our office and we will be happy to assist you.
Common Questions
On what personal property do I owe taxes?
For each tax year, you owe personal property taxes on all personal property you owe as of July 1 of the prior year. Therefore, even if you bought a car on June 1, 2005, and sold it on August 1, 2005, you would owe a tax on the car for the entire year of 2006.
How will I know what taxes I owe?
Every July, the Sheriff’s Tax Division works diligently to mail tax statements to each personal property owner in Marshall County at their last known address.
Do I still owe taxes if I do not receive a tax statement?
Yes, just like other bills you may owe, you are still required to pay a personal property tax even if you did not receive a statement from the Sheriff. In fact, the West Virginia legislature has included such a duty in W.Va. Code §11A-1-8. If you do not receive a tax statement before August 1st of each year, please contact our office and we will be glad to send you another copy.
When can I pay the taxes I owe?
By law, the Sheriff can begin collecting current year taxes on July 15th of each year.
Do I have to pay the total amount due all at once?
No, for convenience, the tax payments are divided into a first-half and second-half payment schedule. The first-half is due by September 1 of that year and the second-half is due by March 1 of the following year.
Do i receive a discount for prompt payment of my taxes?
Yes, if you pay the first-half tax before September 1, you will receive a 2.5% discount on the amount due. The same is true for the second-half if paid before March 1 of the following year.
If I move out of state or no longer own a piece of personal property, do I still owe taxes?
Any personal property owned in West Virginia on July 1 is subject to personal property taxes, even if you no longer live in West Virginia, or if you no longer own the personal property.
When do my personal property taxes become delinquent?
The first-half payment become delinquent on October 1; the second-half payment becomes delinquent on April 1 of the following year.
Will I be notified that my taxes are delinquent if I forget to pay?
Yes, in April of each year a letter will be mailed to the property owner. In May of each year, the Tax Division publishes a list of all delinquent real and personal property taxes in the local newspapers.
